Question

Why are the hottest and coldest places on earth over land, not over water?

Answer 1

Because the heat capacity of water is very high, meaning that it can absorb a big amount of energy (heat) while its temperature increases less than what it does in other bodies that have lower heat capacities.

In terms of equations:

Q α Cp * ΔT => ΔT is inversely related to Cp => if Cp is higher ΔT is lower.